Manatee County free microchip program aims to put an end to lost pets, packed shelters
Manatee County’s animal shelter is partnering with a local nonprofit to provide free microchips for lost-and-found pets in the Bradenton area.
Animal welfare workers linked up with Lost Pet Services Inc. to offer the service when pet owners are reunited with their lost animals. Chipped animals allow agencies to scan a small tag implanted under the skin and then alert owners that their lost pet has been located.
“Our shelters are overflowing and keeping them out of there in the first place is an important tool if they’re microchipped,” said Patty Giarrusso, founder of Lost Pet Services.
About 10 million pets disappear each year in the United States, according to American Humane, a national nonprofit focused on animal welfare. Cats and dogs without microchips are far less likely to be reunited with their owners, the organization said.
“This initiative seeks to significantly increase the number of lost pets successfully finding their way home,” Lost Pet Services said in a statement.
Installation and registration of a microchip can cost around $50, Giarrusso said.
Lost Pet Services is a volunteer-based organization that also runs a Facebook page, with more than 50,000 followers, to help find lost pets in the Bradenton-Sarasota area.
“It’s a big deal,” Giarrusso said. “We reunite between 200 and 300 pets every month.”
The nonprofit also provides free microchips in similar partnerships with the Humane Society of Manatee County and the Animal Rescue Coalition.
Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, microchips don’t enable GPS tracking. Instead, the chips allow animal shelters, veterinarians or law enforcement agencies with specialized equipment to scan the chip and access the owner’s contact information.
County waives adoption fees
Giarrusso said microchips can play a significant role in keeping the population of the local animal shelter down because stray pets must be housed there. With shelter capacity reaching the limits, Manatee County government recently announced that all adoption fees are waived at the Palmetto Adoption Center and the Bishop Animal Shelter.
“We are working hard to create more space to help these animals,” said Manatee County Animal Welfare Chief Sarah Brown. “We are asking for folks to help in any way they can.”
There are more than 140 adoptable dogs between the two shelters, county officials said in a news release.
Manatee County Government shared these tips on how you can help:
▪ Adopt: Adoption fees are waived. While the dog population mainly consists of medium and large dogs, adoption counselors are confident you can find your perfect match. Discover all adoptable dogs at mymanatee.org/pets. New Palmetto Animal Shelter Hours: Mondays to Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 4 p.m.
▪ Foster: While long-term fosters help, people who can only take a pup for a few days are a big benefit. MCAW will provide supplies to help care for a foster pet. For more information, email Lauren.Tryon@mymanatee.org.
▪ Partner: Rescue and transfer workers can help. MCAW staff will help you establish a partnership. For more information, email Lauren.Tryon@mymanatee.org.
▪ Share: If you’re unable to foster or adopt, spreading the word will help Manatee County Animal Welfare — and the pups — by spreading the word to family and friends that they need help from the community.
This story was originally published November 21, 2023 at 6:51 AM.
